The Wilier-Pirelli rider capped a consistent season by winning the series finale in Alpago and defending the overall crown. Second place for Seiwald, third for Teocchi. Sara Squarise wins among Junior women
The odds were in her favour in Alpago, and Giada Specia (Wilier-Pirelli) did not disappoint. The Italian made the most of Martina Berta’s forfait, and on Saturday July 8th she won the Open Women race in Chies d’Alpago, 2023 Internazionali d’Italia Series finale, and claimed the overall crown for the second straight year, properly ending a consistent season in which she stepped on the podium in nearly every stage.
After riding the first three laps side by side with Candice Lill (Seattle Coffe Co) and Greta Seiwald (Team Rockrider), Giada Specia gave the decisive acceleration that finally bent the competition, finishing her race in 1:12:46. Behind her, Seiwald took second place with 43-second gap, while Chiara Teocchi (KTM – Protek – Elettrosystem) capped a solid comeback with the third place.
“I came close to a stage win several times this year at Internazionali d’Italia Series, today I haven’t missed the chance. I wanted both the stage and the overall. Today was a very hot day on a difficult circuit, but racing close to home was added motivation for me. Retaining the Internazionali d’Italia Series crown is a further step in my career,” said Giada Specia after the victory.
After a remarkable first part of the race, Candice Lill finished at the foot of the podium, while veteran Eva Lechner (Trinx Factory Team) took fifth place. Among Under-23s, Lucrezia Braida (Four Es Racing Team) took the success thanks to her ninth-place finish.
With her success in Alpago, Giada Specia jumped to first place on the general classification with 295 points, overtaking Martina Berta (Santa Cruz Rockshox), sitting at 280. After today’s third place, Chiara Teocchi rose to the overall third place with 215 points, overtaking Sofie Heby Pedersen (Wilier-Pirelli), who can still celebrate the Under 23 series crown.
In the Women Junior race, Laura Squarise (ASD La Fenice MTB) achieved an uncontested victory, finishing ahead of Vittoria Rizzo (GS Termo la Spezia) at 1’40” and Myrto Mangiaterra (Team Cingolani) at 2’21”. Elisa Lanfranchi (KTM-Protek-Elettrosystem) took the overall series victory.
